01Weather
Amsterdam weather in December
Afternoons in December average 7.9 °C (46 °F) and nights cool to 3.4 °C (38 °F). The month brings about 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain spread over roughly 14 days. Compared with November it is 2.3 °C cooler; January is 1.1 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 12 °C / 53 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 4 °C / 38 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 28 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 6.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 2.9 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 46 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 14.6 °C / -6.2 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 08:27 | 16:30 | 8.0 h |
| 15 December | 08:44 | 16:26 | 7.7 h |
| 31 December | 08:50 | 16:36 | 7.8 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 12 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Amsterdam).
03Crowds
How busy Amsterdam is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Light Festival
- Christmas markets
- New Year's Eve fireworks
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 2026 | St. Stephen's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Amsterdam in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Eve | 31 December, fireworks across the city | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Amsterdam in December
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- gloves: frost on about 6 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold, with afternoons around 7 °C and short days, but the Light Festival art installations line the canals, Christmas markets fill the Museumplein and the Westergas, and the ice rink in front of the Rijksmuseum runs all month. Sinterklaas evening on 5 December is the Dutch gift-giving night, so shops close early and restaurants are quiet. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both holidays, with most shops shut; museums stay open on the 26th.
New Year's Eve fireworks are loud, widespread and unofficial across the city, and the centre is chaotic after midnight. Hotel prices rise for the last ten days of the month. The first three weeks are calmer and good value, with the lights on and the markets open. Rain or sleet falls on about twelve days, and frost on a handful of mornings. Skating on the canals needs a long frost and happens perhaps once a decade; the rinks are reliable.
09Compare
Amsterdam month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 2 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 8 °C | 3 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 11 °C | 4 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 14 °C | 6 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Mixed |
| May | 18 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 22 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 22 °C | 15 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 23 °C | 15 °C | 12 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 20 °C | 12 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 15 °C | 10 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 10 °C | 5 °C | 13 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 8 °C | 3 °C | 14 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Amsterdam.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| London in December | 8 °C | 11 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Copenhagen in December | 6 °C | – |
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Dublin in December | 9 °C | 14 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
11FAQ
Amsterdam in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Amsterdam?
December is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Amsterdam. Daytime highs average 8 °C (46 °F), rain falls on about 14 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Amsterdam in December?
Expect cold days around 8 °C (46 °F) and nights near 3 °C (38 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 12 °C, and one in ten stays below 4 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Amsterdam in December?
December brings about 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain over roughly 14 days, which is showery by Amsterdam standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 46 percent.
What should I wear in Amsterdam in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Amsterdam crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Light Festival; Christmas markets; New Year's Eve fireworks.
What time does it get dark in Amsterdam in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 16:26 and rises at 08:44, giving 7.7 hours of daylight.